Ashton took the trip to the memorial ground looking for an instant bounce back after last weeks defeat in the Tameside derby, a trip to Stockport was going to be no easy feat, despite the reverse result at Gambrel Bank, Ashton 2’s have not won at Stockport in a very long time and were on the end of a drubbing last season.

The mashers were bolstered by the strong debuts of Steven Simmonds and Josh who alongside an exciting second team looked to make sure Ashton got back to winning ways.

From kick off the away side were intense, not allowing Stockport to get into gear and without a few unfortunate handling errors and miscommunications Ashton could have been 2 tries up in the first five minutes, a strong scrum featuring Ricky P, Simon Creber and Lewis Ferron (a regular flanker taking one for the team and playing at hooker), Ashton had a good base to build from, once the early errors had been cut out stand in fly half Murphy ran over uncontested to put Ashton in the lead.

However Stockport were not for lying down, a strong tight head prop and skilful fly half linked up well to put the score 7-7, Stockport certainly had players who could cause Ashton trouble, however what they could not stop was two near full pitch tries from Khattab and Connor to give Ashton breathing room, an unfortunate yellow card for winger Charlie saw Ashton go into the break slightly ahead but down to 14 so a game definitely still in the balance.

Second half saw runs out for Charlie McCallum and debutant Josh who both got on the score sheet with strong powerful tries, a special mention must go to Sam Lofthouse who ran half the pitch but seemingly tackled himself to miss out on a much deserved try. It is important to highlight with Ashton’s dominance in the backs in the second half this could not have been achieved without the work rate of the whole 15 but especially Edwin and Simon Cowgill, Edwin as always hitting 10/15 tackles a game and disrupting Stockport all day but Man of the match Simon Cowgill was excellent, providing Ashton with multiple steals at rucks, hard graft in a indifferent lineout but the flashy tries would not have been achieved without the work rate of the team.

The second half also saw clever tries from Raoul Sutcliffe and Khattab who have been key to the mashers league standing so far. Later on in the second half Ashton were dominant, Port got a late try in late in the second, deserving of their hard work and resilience throughout the game.

Ashton now look to next week, another derby game this time at home to Oldham, the mashers are now only five points off the top with a game in hand, a league victory is the aim but seeing new faces develop and a young squad enjoy their rugby has been the main aim which is currently being achieved.

MOTM Simon Cowgill.